Peak seeks to continue work

2010 was a year of resignations and appointments for the Tonganoxie City Council.

Bill Peak was one of those appointments and he’s looking to extend his time on the council through election by the voters.

“I was appointed, so I want to validate that appointment,” he said, adding that he’s also appreciated the time he’s been on the council.

While chatting with residents during the campaign, Peak has heard questions centered on the budget and the industrial park planned for south of Tonganoxie.

“People just want general information,” Peak said. “And a lot of people are trying to be informed on the issues.”

Peak said feedback from residents has helped in traffic safety improvements. For instance, he heard about a crosswalk on U.S. Highway 24-40 at Second Street connecting sidewalk to dirt. With the help of Peak’s efforts, there now is a crosswalk that connects sidewalk to sidewalk across the highway.

Retired from the U.S. Postal Service, Peak, who is 58, attended council meetings regularly before Tonganoxie Mayor Jason Ward appointed him this past year. He estimated missing four or five in the past four years. While attending a meeting, he noticed a budget error that helped save the city thousands of dollars.

In addition, while on the council he discovered that not all contracts were signed off or seen by City Attorney Mike Kelly. Peak won approval for the city attorney being required to sign off on all contracts.

“Sincerely, I don’t have a personal agenda kind of thing, just maybe how we can do some things better or cheaper,” Peak said. “Not just cheaper, but efficient.”

In addition to his current seat on the council, Peak is program director with the Tonganoxie Community Historical Society and chair for the Tonganoxie Retail and Commercial Committee.

“I’d like to see more activities downtown,” Peak said. “I’d like to see us get involved more as a community.”

He also encouraged residents become involved more in meetings and the community activities as a whole.

“A lot of people have really good ideas,” Peak said. “We just need to listen to those and have those folks come forward.”

For more about Peak, check out his answers to questions The Mirror posed in candidate questionnaires, which were sent to city council and school board candidates: tonganoxiemirror.com/news/2011/mar/24/2011-candidate-question-tonganoxie-city-counc/